Brake-beam.



F. R. CORNWALL. BRAKE BEAM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1909.

Patented Aug.9,1910.

nrsn srxrs an FREDERICK R. CORNWALL, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TOCHICAGO RAILWAY rric EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BRAKE-BEAM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK R. CORN- WALL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Brake-Beams, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in

which-- Figure l is a plan View of my improved brake beam. Fig. 2 is asectional view through one end of the same. Fig. 3 is a cross sectionalview. Fig. l is a sectional view taken through the center of one end ofa modified form of my improved beam.

This invention relates to a new and useful im n'ovement in brake beams,and is de' signed particularly for use as a high speed brake beam. Theseso-called high speed brake beams are largely used on passenger coaches,sleeping and dining cars.

The object of my present invention is to materially increase the size ofthe compression and tension members without increas ing the size of thesleeve, whereby the brake heads now in use can be employed on myimproved beam. In this manner, I am enabled to get a very strong brakebeam, that is, one which Wlll show a minimum deflection under a maximumload.

I-Ieretofore, where the size of the so-called sleeve or thrust block islimited to accommodate brake heads of standard size, such as prescribedby the Master Car Builders, the limit of sizes of compression membersand tension members, of various forms, where they pass through thethrust block or sleeve, has been reached. Hence, it has been impossiblein existing constructions to get heavier forms of compression andtension members through the restricted space allowed, and consequently,it has been impossible to supply the demand for stronger and more rigidbrake beams where the limitation of size concerning the brake head andsleeve remains the same.

My improved construction, while apparently simple, is most important, asit meets recent requirements for increased efficiency in'brake beamconstruction. It is possible, accordmg to my invention to increase thesize of the short tension rod, without interfering with the otherdimensions, which enables me to get a brake beam of any requiredcapacity.

According to the requirements of the new lVestinghouse brake, the brakebeam must stand a load of 42,000 pounds, with one sixteenth of an inch hdeflection. This has been thought impossible of attainment, on accountof the limitation of the fixed dimensions. In my construction, I can usea tension rod 13} inches in diameter and in crease the size of thecompression member, as desired.

In the drawing, 1 indicates the compression member, 2 the strut, and ashort tension member, which, as shown in Fig. 1, may be threaded at itsends, or, as shown in Fig. 2 may be provided with a head 3 at each end.

4 is a thrust block shown as a cast-mg, whose front portion isconfigured to correspond to the well known requirements of a brake head.This thrustblock is provided with a shoulder, 4P constituting a seat forthe compression member, and also has an inward extension 43 which ispreferably threaded and which is bent into alinement with the adjacentend of the tension rod. The thread on the extension 4 and adjacenttension rod may be right and left hand threads, as shown in Fig. 1, tocooperate with nut 5, whereby, when said nut is turned, rod 3 is intension and a camber is placed in the compression member.

6 indicates a strap integrally connected with the thrust block,embracing the compression member, holding said member to its seat. Thisstrap, as shown in Fig. 2 may be located some distance from the end ofthe compression member, or as shown in Fig. i may be a removable member6 and located directly over the end of the compression member. If aremovable strap 6 is pro vided over the shoulder 4., or, it' saidintegral strap is located to one side of said shoulder, as shown in Fig.2, it is possible for a workman to get at the seat of the compressionmember for the purpose of cutting away or removing any fins or filletsin the casting, which might prevent the compression member from becomingproperly seated against the shoulder. Rivets 7 are preferably employed,said rivets extending transversely, for the purpose of securing thecompression member in position. I have shown

